'This study is based on the thesis that, in order to properly understand the current political and socio-economic situation in Russia, it is vital to be aware of the existence and activities of the system mafia - as opposed to the various forms of organised crime from which it should be clearly distinguished. A system mafia existed throughout the entire Soviet era, thought its size varied considerably from one period to another. It was extremly well prepared for the changes and had a significant role to play in determining each phase of the transformation. The numerous misconceptions that exist about the 'mafia' and 'shadow economy' can generally be attributed to an excessively one-sided approach to criminological and economic issues. Since many of the factors that are of fundamental importance for an understanding of the connections between these two spheres have only come to light recent years, one must be willing to challenge the validity of earlier statements regarding this issue, including one's own. As the first part of this Report showed, it is only via this route that one may arrive at a proper understanding of the origins of many of the problems encountered in the course of the transformation process. Although quite a number of studies on organised crime in the Soviet Union and Russia have become available in recent years, they do not generally address the issue of co-operation between the political class and the criminal world. The most reliable information can be gleaned from the former staff of the legal protection organs. However, it should be borne in mind that these people generally adhere to their oaths of secrecy and do not reveal official secrets. Many of the revelations about this sphere have been brought to light by investigative journalists, some of whom have paid with their lives for their efforts. Although many reports of this kind are published by media organs deliberately seeking sensation stories while others are excessively colored by political motives, such reservations, particularly when expressed by officials, should not lead them to be ignored. After all, material published by Western observers and researches is by no means faultless either. Probably one way to avoid making false judgements about this sphere is to observe it continuously over a long period of time. The study is based almost exclusively on the reports of experts and journalists living in Russia. Great caution was exercised in using factual and biographical information from these reports. By token of the very nature of the system mafia, many of its dubios activities cannot be classified under the criminal legislation of Russia or of other countries. Therefore, neither its members nor their activities can generally be described as criminal. The short titles used in the author's remarks are explained in the bibliography accompanying the first part of this study.' (extract)